Ancient Origins
Checkers (called Draughts in much of the world) traces its roots to ancient board games played on grids with simple pieces and capture rules. One well-known ancestor is Alquerque, documented in antiquity and played on a 5×5 pattern. Over centuries, mechanics like diagonal movement and forced captures were adapted to square boards.
Terminology note: In this page, “Checkers” and “Draughts” refer broadly to the family of related games.
Medieval & Early Modern Evolution
By the medieval period in Europe, play on the familiar 8×8 chessboard became common. Variants diffused under names like fierges and jeu de dames. Rules gradually converged on key ideas that many players recognize today: diagonal movement on dark squares, mandatory captures in many traditions, and a promoted piece (the “king”) with greater mobility.
As printing, clubs, and problem columns spread in the 18th–19th centuries, published rule sets and composed problems helped align communities around recognizable standards.
Toward Modern Rules & Organized Play
By the 19th and early 20th centuries, national styles crystallized—especially in Britain, the U.S., and continental Europe—leading to tournament play, opening theory, and noted champions. The “English/American” rules on an 8×8 board became widespread in the Anglosphere, while a powerful 10×10 form (International Draughts) took root in the Netherlands, France, and beyond.
Major Variants (Quick Guide)
| Variant | Board | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| English / American Checkers | 8×8 | Men move forward diagonally; kings move both ways. Captures are often mandatory; kings hop one square at a time. |
| International Draughts | 10×10 | “Flying” kings with long-range diagonal moves; captures mandatory; deep tactics and long combinations. |
| Russian | 8×8 | Men may capture backward; kings are “flying.” Distinct capture priorities compared to English rules. |
| Brazilian | 8×8 | Like International but on 8×8; flying kings, mandatory capture. |
| Canadian | 12×12 | Large board; related to International family with flying kings; longer games and combinations. |
| Pool / Spanish, etc. | Varies | Regional traditions with their own capture orders, king powers, and nuances. |
Tip: If you switch variants, double-check whether men can capture backward and whether kings are “flying.”
Champions & Culture
The game’s literature includes elegant problems, encyclopedias of openings, and storied matches. Legendary figures—such as Marion Tinsley in English checkers—dominated eras and inspired generations of players.
Clubs, federations, and world championships continue across variants, with thriving communities both over-the-board and online.
Computers & Checkers
Checkers played a key role in early artificial intelligence research thanks to its clear rules and manageable branching factor (relative to chess). In the 1990s, the program Chinook famously contested matches with human champions. In 2007, researchers announced that checkers is “weakly solved” under standard (English/American) rules—meaning perfect play from both sides leads to a draw.
In practice, human games remain rich and tactical; solving doesn’t make play trivial—it simply maps the theoretical ceiling.
At-a-Glance Timeline
Dates above summarize widely reported milestones in the game’s development.
Quick FAQ
Why is it called “Draughts”?
“Draughts” is the traditional British name; “Checkers” is common in North America. Both refer to the same family of games.
Are the rules the same everywhere?
No—several major variants exist. The biggest differences include board size, whether men may capture backward, and whether kings have long-range (“flying”) moves.
Does solving the game ruin it?
Not at all. “Solved” means we know the theoretical outcome with perfect play, but human games remain creative, practical, and fun.
Play & Learn
Ready to play? Grab a physical set or try a reputable online server that supports your preferred ruleset (English, International, or Russian). Studying endgame motifs and capture priorities will rapidly boost your strength.
Pro tip: Learn a handful of clean opening ideas and focus on tempo—forcing moves and timely promotions decide many games.